• Laughter echoed in the leaf-covered street as a young man and his six-year-old sister played outside in the chilly weather. The cold air stung their lungs, but the little girl's joyful laughter was what kept Max playing. Max was seventeen, with light brown hair and blue eyes. His sister Nicole hung around his neck, her black hair blowing in the wind. He couldn't help but smile as her pair of striking green eyes stared into his. She was his light in the darkness, the only thing that made him happy.

    Their father was a police official of their small town of Cressvile...a rather harsh fellow...but Max knew he meant well. His mother was his father's first wife, who divorced him when he was a young boy, around his half sister Nicole's age. When Max first saw his new 'mother' he felt nervous but relieved. She was exactly the mother he always wanted, and she treated him like he was the son she always dreamed of. (Which he was.)
    Yes, it was quite the happy family. Nicole made Max's life all the happier. So,now after so many years, they spin in circles giggling like a pair of insane children, which god knows they were. "WHEEE!" Nicole yelled. Max twirled around one more time then fell over, catching her and crushing her against his chest. "Ah! Hey--Max!" Nicole said giggling.
    "Grrrr come 'ere you," Max said standing, picking her up and slinging her over his shoulder. Nicole pounded on his back with her small fists. "Owie!" he said, pretending that she was hurting him. Max ran with her inside then set her down, locking the front door. His eyes narrowed; Leisure Drive wasn't always the safest part of the neighborhood.

    Nicole ran to her room, looking out the window at the mystical scene in front of her. The wind blew leaves down onto their yard gracefully, looking to her like they magically swirled around in circles. Nicole knew how to love nature, finding the most simplest things beautiful. "Max!" she called with a smile. Max set down his homemade scarf and gloves and walked into her room in concern.
    "Sis? What is it?" he asked , stroking a bit of hair from her eyes.
    "Why do the leaves do that? Why aren't they on the trees all green and pretty?" Nicole asked innocently.
    Max laughed at her admiringly. He was slightly overprotective and absorbed, but she was all he cared about. Ever since he first made her laugh three years ago his whole goal was to always make her happy. It killed him to see her cry."It's fall," he replied."The leaves fall of the trees and dry out, giving them those um..pretty colors. Then the cool winds blow them around. It's natural, new leaves grow back,"
    "Oh! That's way cool!" Nicole said looking out the window in wonder. Max patted her on the shoulder then walked out. Nicole turned to watch him leave,"Where's mom?" she asked abruptly.
    "Working late. Mom and dad said I have to watch you. Bummer, eh?" he joked. Nicole laughed, falling down on her bed, limbs sprawled out like she was to tired to move. Max rolled his eyes and walked out of the room in search of his keys. "What do you want for dinner? I need to go buy some food," she heard him call from inside the house, most likely in the kitchen.
    Nicole sighed,"It doesn't matter," she replied loudly. She then heard the noise of keys being dropped.

    .
    "Ok! I'll be right back don't go anywhere I'm locking all the doors," Max called to her. He waited for her to come running into his arms, but she didn't. There was a pause, a moment of complete silence. "Ok then," he said opening the front door, surprised.
    "Wait!" Nicole shrieked, running after him, "Can I come with you?" she begged. Max sighed and nodded; Nicole grinned wildly and darted out the door to car in the driveway.










    * * *



    All was quiet. Nicole was safely buckled and Max was somewhat safe with his shoulder strap behind him. Nicole struggled to be the same way but Max shook his head,"Don't, your safer the way you are," he said calmly. He seemed grumpier while driving, but it was only his way of expressing concentration.
    "Ok," Nicole replied quietly. She enjoyed riding in the car, seeing the familiar buildings and non-familiar faces, "What a gloomy day," she whispered grimmly. Max merely grunted. The AM/PM was just around the corner; he turned into the parking lot of the store.
    "Wait here," Max said, unbuckling himself. Nicole wasn't listening to Max at the moment. Her eyes narrowed as a group of dark clothed teenage guys made their way down the street. They seemed angry, Nicole's eyes showed signs of worry. Max, however, had already gone into the store.
    Nicole looked around blankly,"Oh, OK," she said but he had walked off. She sat back and turned up the radio. One of her favorite songs played. She smiled and hummed along. An old woman walked casually in front of the car; she seemed to be in her mid-sixties and was strangely fit looking for her age. What startled Nicole,though, was that she kept looking back at the group of teenagers in fear. They appeared casual. Nicole looked threw the glass front doors of the store and saw Max at the counter. "Max," she breathed. Her eyes flashed back to the woman.

    The tallest of the boys grabbed the old woman's shoulder, mouthing words Nicole could not hear. The woman looked terrified, shaking under his iron hold. With a dark glare the guy grabbed her purse and tugged it from her. Nicole gasped, "Max!" she shrieked. He stepped out of the store, obviously oblivious. His eyes widened as he finally processed what was going on, though by then he was already being cornered by a few of the other boys. He held his hands up in surrender, but apparently the boys weren't so merciful. There was a weapon being held to his neck; Nicole guessed it was a pocket knife. Frantic, she pulled the window down to hear what was going on.
    "Show me your wallet," the man with the pocket knife hissed.
    Max stared at the man impatiently, "I just want to get my groceries and be left alone. This is none of my business," he said calmly.
    "Shut up," the guy snapped. Max glared at him in frustration, but suddenly looked at Nicole a worried stare. She and him both knew what he would have to do.

    With the slightest bit of courage, he grabbed the attacker's arm firmly, then punched him in the face. Doubling back, the attacker lunged at him in fury. His eyes were dark and fearless. Max, being only lightly trained for fights by his father, grabbed him and threw him into the glass windows. The first attacker fell on his side in pain, leaving two more to fend off. He took a painful blow to the jaw; Max retaliated, yet kicked one of them as hard as he could; The boy fell without any effort.

    The last of the gang members glared at Max with such anger, such hate... it startled Nicole. Max didn't notice. He attacked the kid that was clawing at him. Nicole rose up out of her seat in shock; Max saw out of the corner of his left eye a gleam of black, well pollished metal. "MMMMMMMMAAAAAAXXXXX!" Nicole screamed. Tears welled up in her eyes. It was obvious what came next; He looked at her, full of panic.
    "NICOLE!" he yelped. She slipped down under the dashboard, closing her eyes as tight as she could. Without a second's warning--BANG! The sound made her cringe in horror. She didn't dare look up or open her eyes. Reality all set in at once. Tears streamed from her eyes rapidly; it was like the world had ended. Max...
    From outside, the voices continued to stir, "Where's that girl?" demanded a deep, tired man.
    "I dunno, I think in the car," another replied, probably much younger.
    "She looked five," one commented. She heard someone open the passenger door, where she lay motionless.

    "Hey! Guys, come look here!" a third voice gasped.
    Nicole opened her eyes and stared up at the grinning men. She winced and tried to wipe the tears from her face. It was hard to believe she still had her pride, "L-leave me a-alone," she studdered. "J-just..." Nicole broke off, choking back tears. Her heart still beat against her lips as she stared at the five boys. The tallest crossed his arms, rolling his eyes. Her eyes stared deeply into his, "Just go home," she whispered.
    One of the men, older and more toned, knelled down awkwardly to be inches from her. Must be the leader..."Who are you,kid?" he asked calmly.
    "I'm not supposed to tell st-strangers that," she whispered weakly, staring up at him in fear. Her green eyes were wide now. Bloodshot.
    "I'm willing to help," the man said flatly, obviously unamused.
    "My name is Nicole," she replied coldly. His statement made the emotions take control, "And you can't help me with anything! You killed him! You shot him dead without any mercy! You're a cold hearted b-b-b....b*****d!" she spat. With that, the man dragged Nicole by the right wrist out of the car. A blood stained shirt caught her eye, following a loud thunk from the car's trunk. They're taking his body! Nicole wailed in her thoughts. She struggled against the hold, trying to move so he'd have to let go. He scowled, throwing her down. A large foot crushed down on her torso.The man had light hair and dark eyes, not something very commonly seen. Nicole gasped for breath, staring at the gun pointed at her forehead.
    "Do I frighten you?" he asked playfully. His lips curled into a harsh smile.
    "Jeremy, your really gonna kill a little girl in cold blood?" one of the smaller boys asked, looking at Nicole nervously.
    "It depends on if she's smart enough to answer correctly," the man replied calmly. Slowly, he crouched down over her. Nicole stared at everyone around her, at the boys and people hiding in the stores as they watched helplessly threw the windows. She sucked back the snot dripping down her nose, feeling the redness on her cheeks in which she knew was anger. "No," she breathed. Jeremy, this boy, this punk, let his smile fall into a disgusted frown. She closed her eyes.

    A rough pain in her head made her cower; she tried to pull herself away. Again and again she felt the pain strike her everywhere. She was being beaten, hit with the muddy boot of her attacker. Don't cry...it'll end soon, her mother's voice called to her in her thoughts. The sound was from an old memory from when she first had to get a shot. If you just give up the pain will end sooner. Her mother was right. She lay on her stomach, a hot, crimson liquid running down her face. The kicking continued, harder and harder as time pressed on, "Help," she mouthed. There was a sudden moment of blankness; she coughed up more blood, "Someone help," she winced helplessly. She could feel the blackness washing over her in violent waves. She coughed a few more times, slowly slipping into unconsciousness. Had it ended? Had the hitting stopped?
    "Your going to be OK," a voice whispered in her ear. The sound was familiar yet alien.
    "M...max?" she asked, wind carrying her voice away. One of her eyes opened in curiosity. There was no one there, the person who had spoke was gone. Please let it have been you...please be alright.